Israel’s airstrike shuts 2nd Lebanon-Syria border crossing out of 6: Official

By Wassim Seifeddine

BEIRUT (AA) - The second border crossing between Lebanon and Syria has been rendered inoperative following an Israeli airstrike, Lebanese Public Works Minister Ali Hamieh said Friday.

Lebanon and Syria are connected by six official border crossings: Jdeidet Yabous, Dabousiyah, Jusiyah, Talkalakh, Matribah, and Arida.

In a statement to local broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Hamieh said: “The Israeli strike on the town of Jusiyah has entirely blocked the crossing point that connects Lebanese and Syrian territories at the Qaa area in eastern Lebanon.”

“Only one crossing now remains open between Lebanon and Syria,” he added.

Earlier in the morning, Israeli warplanes struck the Lebanese-Syrian border at the Jusiyah-Qaa crossing, causing it to close, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.

The army claimed that the crossing is used by the Lebanese group Hezbollah to transport weapons from Syria.

On Oct. 14, Israel targeted the Al-Masnaa border area in eastern Lebanon, shutting down the main border crossing with Syria, which had served as an escape route for tens of thousands of Lebanese and Syrian refugees fleeing Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Israel expanded the conflict this year by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

* Writing by Mohammad Sio.